Lifelong fidelity.THE ARNOLFINI WEDDING PORTRAIT is full of symbols of marriage: from the dog, emblem of fidelity, to the fruit and the bed, symbols of fertility (though history records no children in this marriage). But at its center is the solemn moment in which the young man pauses before placing his hand over that of his girl bride, accepting her as his wife. The discarded shoes and lit candle tell us this is a holy ceremony: Each is tremulously trem·u·lous adj. 1. Marked by trembling, quivering, or shaking. 2. Timid or fearful; timorous. [From Latin tremulus, from tremere, to tremble. aware of the other, devoutly intent on the seriousness of their action. They are making an absolute decision, a mutual undertaking. They know what they are doing: accepting the gift of a lifelong companionship companionship the faculty possessed by most truly domesticated animals. They are social creatures and have a great need for the companionship of other animals. Animals in groups are quieter and more productive as a rule. , offering as much as they receive. SISTER WENDY BECKETT Sister Wendy Beckett (born February 25 1930) is a South African-born British art expert, consecrated virgin and contemplative hermit who became an unlikely celebrity during the 1990s, presenting a series of acclaimed art history documentaries for the BBC. of Norfolk, England, well-known for her BBC BBC in full British Broadcasting Corp. Publicly financed broadcasting system in Britain. A private company at its founding in 1922, it was replaced by a public corporation under royal charter in 1927. and PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, television art series and her popular art books. Reprinted with permission from: Sister Wendy's Book of Meditations (DK Publishing, 1998; 888-342-5357). Painting: The Arnolfini Marriage, 1434, Jan van Eyck, National Gallery, London. |
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